Durant, who will become a free-agent at the end of the 2016 season, was asked about Bryant passing Michael Jordan on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. He also said Bryant's intense nature doesn’t mean players don’t want to be teammates with him.

Classic Photos of Kevin Durant

In recognition of four-time NBA scoring champion Kevin Durant winning his first MVP award, SI.com presents some classic photos of the five-time All-Star. As a high schooler at Oak Hill, Durant possessed the skills to be a superstar.

Michael Dann

Durant earned the 2006 All-Met Player of the Year Award at Montrose Christian after a season at Oak Hill, and was rewarded with a scholarship to the University of Texas.

Durant leads an emboldened Texas squad into the finals of the Big 12 Championship against Kansas in 2007. While Durant dazzled -- he racked up 32 points and nine rebounds -- his Longhorns fell short 90-86.

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Durant poses with Tennessee's Candace Parker after the two were named winners of the 2007 John Wooden Award presented to the most outstanding players in college basketball. During his breakout freshman season, Durant averaged 25.5 points and 11.1 rebounds while leading the Longhorns to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

AP

Durant stands among his fellow prospects before the NBA Draft on June 28, 2007. While all were selected in the first round, it's hard to dispute that anyone's had a bigger impact than the former Texas small forward. He finished second in MVP voting in 2009-10.

Stan Honda/AFP/Getty Images

Durant smiles for the camera with some of his littlest admirers during the NBA's Media Day in 2007. The photo was part of the Sonics' campaign to encourage children to read.

AP

Durant slips on his jersey before a matchup with the Nuggets in the Pepsi Center in 2007. Much like with LeBron in his rookie season, opposing crowds relished the opportunity to watch the youngster play.

John W. McDonough/SI

Durant proved he was worthy of the second overall pick during his prodigious 2007 campaign, shooting over 43 percent from the field though Seattle stumbled to a 20-62 record. Here, his entourage (from left to right: grandmother Barbara Davis, friend Cliff Dixon, mother Wanda Pratt, father Wayne) helps him accept the NBA's Rookie of the Year Award.

AP

Durant endears himself to the Seattle fans after throwing out the ceremonial first pitch on Sept. 29, 2007. He immediately became a fan-favorite following his selection in the NBA Draft and posted 20.3 points per game in his rookie season with the Sonics.

AP

Decked from head to toe in light sensor technology, Durant handles the basketball while EA Sports captures his moves in its Burnaby, British Columbia studio. Durant is compiling quite the video game resume. After serving as the cover athlete for NCAA March Madness '08 , he was placed on the front of NBA Elite 11 . Both are EA Sports titles.

AP

Embracing their new hometown hero, Oklahoma City Thunder fans greet Durant following an open practice. Formerly the SuperSonics, the franchise moved to Oklahoma City in 2008.

AP

Durant eyes the hoop in a Team USA basketball tuneup on July 23, 2008 in Las Vegas. While he didn't make that year's Olympic roster, he'd pioneer the so-called "B-Team" to a FIBA World Championship just two years later.

Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

Equally helpful on and off the court, Durant volunteers during the Day of Service during the NBA All-Star Weekend in 2008. He was joined by teammate Jeff Green and Bucks' big man Yi Jianlian.

Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images

A legend during his basketball adolescence as well, Durant is honored in this trophy case at Seat Pleasant Activity Center, where he developed as a youth. Team photos, an autographed shoe and a spattering of articles are among the memorabilia honoring the Maryland native.

Simon Bruty/SI

Ever the handyman, Durant fixes a chandelier at an Oklahoma City resident's home in April 2009. At 6-foot-9, Durant didn't need a ladder, something that clearly was amusing to teammate Jeff Green (back).

AP

Ron Artest tries to pull a fast one by pinning Durant's arm during a game at the Ford Center.

Greg Nelson/SI

Two of the new generation of superstars in the NBA, Durant and LeBron James take a picture at the 4th Annual Two Kings Dinner on Feb. 13, 2010. While LeBron generated more hype, it was Durant who led the league in scoring, averaging 30.1 points over an 82-game season.

Getty Images

Durant engages in a staring contest with a presidential guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in central Athens. The guard was able to maintain focus as Durant towered over him, but the Grecian National Team wasn't as lucky. He netted 15 points en route to a 87-59 victory.

Getty Images

Durant's sneakers during the World Basketball Championship served as a reminder of his motivations, as he honored many of his deceased friends by writing their names across his shoe tops. He also included a reference to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks by inscribing the date prominently over his left toes.

AP

Durant leads the United States team in acknowledging the crowd after a 89-74 win over Lithuania in the World Basketball Championship semifinals. Durant would follow up a 38-point performance in this game with a 28-point outing in a victory against Turkey in the gold-medal game.

AP

Kevin Durant lands in the stands during Game 4 of a first-round playoff series against Denver.

AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post/Getty Images

Durant enjoying a quiet moment before practice.

Andy Cross, The Denver Post/Getty Images

Durant celebrates after clinching a victory over Memphis in Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals.

John W. McDonough/SI

Durant skies for a breakaway dunk during a February 2012 game between the Thunder and Mavs.

Greg Nelson/SI

Durant hugs his mother, Wanda Pratt, following Oklahoma City's victory over the Lakers in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals.

Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images

Dwight Howard goes up to try to defend a shot by Durant during the All-Star game in Orlando.

Durant and LeBron James fight for position in the first of their two scheduled games this season.

Marc Serota/Getty Images

Durant releases a three-point shot after being fouled by Memphis center Marc Gasol in the fourth quarter of Game 2 of an opening-round playoff series. Durant hit the three-pointer from the corner as he was being pushed out of bounds by Gasol and then converted the free throw to make it a one-point game. Memphis won 111-105 in overtime.

Sue Ogrocki/AP

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“Excuse my language, but that's (expletive)," Durant said to USA Today. "I want to play with a winner every single night, especially somebody who wants to win that bad, who works that hard, who demands a lot, who raises up your level. I'd want to play with a guy like that every day. ... (His style) may make people uncomfortable, how he acts and just how he approaches the game, but I love that type of stuff. I think (the accusation) is BS."

Durant, last season’s Most Valuable Player, also praised Bryant’s work ethic and demeanor.

"He doesn't mind being an (expletive), and he comes to work, man. He's intense,” Durant said. He demands a lot out of his teammates, and I've seen that just playing alongside him in the Olympics (in 2012). He demands a lot out of everybody.”

Durant is averaging 21.5 points and 5.4 rebounds after missing the first 17 games of the season while recovering from a foot injury. Oklahoma City (12-13), which plays the Golden State Warriors on Thursday, has won seven straight games.

- Scooby Axson

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